four sides of the smaller court.* Only one side of the first quadrangle was completed; and the whole collegiate design, which was dangerous as it tended to nurture a fervour of polemic spirit, drooped shortly after its commencement, and at no distant period fell completely to the ground. "After Sutcliffe's death, Dr. Featley, a celebrated polemical divine, who was recommended by the Dean as his successor, became Provost; but so little was the original intention of the institution regarded, even at this early period, that one Richard Dean, a young merchant, was made one of the fel lows." In the year 1631, the court of Chancery decreed that Dr. Sutcliffe's estates should revert to the right heirs, upon their paying to the college a certain sum of money. After the death of Featley, which happened in 1645, the buildings of the college were devoted to various inappropriate purposes, being at one time used as a receptacle for prisoners of war, and at another as a riding house. In the year 1669, King Charles II. gave the structure, and its attached grounds, to the Royal Society, then newly incorporated; but of this society they were again purchased, for the King's use, by Sir Stephen Fox, in January 1682. This act of purchase was immediately preparatory to the foundation of THE ROYAL HOSPITAL. The structure so termed is one of the noblest ornaments which a brave and free nation can possess ;-an asylum for the E 4 wounded A print of the original design is prefixed to " Darley's Glory of Chelsey College new revived;" and Faulkner has published a copy of this engraving Historical Account of Chelsea." Another print occurs in "Grose's Military Antiquities." in his " + Lysons and Faulkner, after Tanner's MSS. in the Bodleian Library. wounded and superannuated soldiers who have fought her battles. The first stone of this fabric was laid by King Charles the Second, on the 12th of March, 1682. On which occasion he was attended by a great number of the principal nobility and gentry. The liberal spirit with which this monarch patronised such an undertaking should redound to his immortal credit; but in estimating the character of Charles, too many writers have overlooked the patriotic care with which he founded a home for his infirm soldiery. It has been said that the first idea of the foundation originated with others; but, even if this be granted, the merit of Charles is very slightly lessened. Sir Stephen Fox (ancestor to the present Lord Holland) is believed to have been the projector of this hospital; and Collins says that it is certain he expended above 13,0007. on the institution. A crude tradition bestows the honour of the design on a less worthy name ;-in popular esteem, Eleanor Gwyn is considered the person who first suggested this national charity.+. : Besides the generous contribution of Sir Stephen Fox, the sum of one thousand pounds was presented towards the furtherance of the buildings by Archbishop Sancroft and the same sum was given by Tobias Rustat, whose whole fortune was dedicated to public benefactions and works of charity, Under Peerage, Vol. V. P. 392. ♦ Except as to traditional anecdote, this reference to Eleanor Gwyn chiefly depends on the assertion of the anonymous author of her life, published in 1752. It will be readily admitted that the statement of such a writer, at such a date, is entitled to very little credit. There is a public house, not far from the hospital, which bears for its sign a fanciful portrait of "Nell Gwyn," with an inscription intimating that the foundation took place in consequence of her desire. But we are informed, that this house has not been opened for the sale of liquors more than forty years; and it seems likely that the sign was adopted in attention to a spirit of scandalous anecdote, which would ascribe even the charity of a dissolute King to the suggestion of his mistress. Under the auspices of Charles, and his successor, this great work proceeded with all practicable celerity; but the completion of the structure was reserved for an additional: honour to the names of King William and Queen Mary. The whole was finished in the year 1690. CHELSEA HOSPITAL was built from the design, and under the direction of, Sir Christopher Wren.* In general architectural character the edifice is judiciously, suited to its object. It is solid, commanding, and of elevated proportions. Elaborate ornament would have been here misplaced; as a nation would scarcely wish to emblazon for public notice the monument of its own grateful attention. The whole presents a happy medium between the humility of style which would have been degrading to the inhabitants, and the splendour of feature which might have been thought to indicate a spirit of unseemly ostentation. The building is composed of brick, with coigns, columns, cornices, &c. of free stone; and, consists of three courts, the principal of which is open on the south side; a circumstance that affords an advantageous display towards the river. Large gardens (which, however, are not used by the pensioners) extend to the edge of the water, and finish with an elevated terrace. The eastern and western wings of this court are 365 feet in length, and are chiefly occupied by the pensioners' wards, which are sixteen in number and are sufficiently spacious and airy. In the centre of the court is a bronze statue of the royal founder, Charles II. larger than life, and in a Roman habit. This was presented by Tobias Rustat, and is, by some, thought to be the work of Grinling Gibbons. When Rustat presented this statue, he likewise erected that of James II. still remaining at Whitehall. It is believed that Gibbons executed only one of these; and certainly the statue of James is that most likely to have proceeded from his hand. The cost of the building is said to have been 150,0001. At At the extremity of the eastern wing is the Governor's House, a large and commodious building. The ceiling of the State Room is divided into oblong compartments, ornamented with the initials of Charles II. James II. and William and Mary, together with the royal arms, and various well adapted military trophies. The sides of the same apartment are enriched by portraits of Charles the First, his Queen and two sons, Charles Prince of Wales, and James Duke of York; Charles the Second ; James the Second; William the Third and Queen Mary; and their present Majesties. In the Long Room, situate in the second story, are two correct and well executed views of the Royal Hospital, by Peter Tilleman. The centre of each wing is ornamented with a pediment of free stone, supported by Doric columns of the same material. In the western wing are the apartments of the Lieutenant-Go vernor: The north side of this court, which presents the most important face of the structure, has in the centre a handsomè portico of the Doric order. A colonnade continues along the whole range, on the frieze of which is the following inscrip tion : IN SUBSIDIUM ET LEVAMEN, EMERITORUM SENIO, The buildings occupying this side are divided into a chapel, a hall, and a vestibule terminated by a cupola.* The Chapel, which is one hundred and ten feet in length, and thirty in width, is paved with black and white marble, and wainscotted with Dutch oak. This building was consecrated On the top is a large cistern of water, which supplies the whole of the hospital. The water is conducted from the river Thames, by means of an engine placed in a small building in the gardens. crated by Compton, Bishop of London, August 30, 1691. Over the communion table is a painting, by Sebastian Ricci (an artist of no great mérit) representing the resurrection of the Saviour. The furniture of the chapel is agreeably augmented by a good organ, the gift of Major Ingram. King James II. with characteristical zeal, presented a handsome service of plate; four prayer books, richly bound; an altar cloth; a pulpit cloth; and several velvet cushions. The pews of the various officers of the establishment rangé along the sides, and the pensioners sit in the middle, on benches. Regular service is performed in this chapel on Sundays, and prayers are read on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Dining Hall is on the western side of the vestibule, and is of the same dimensions as the chapel. The furniture of this room is inassy and simple. At the east end is a gallery of a humble character; the west, or upper end, is occupied by a painting, which was presented by the Earl of Ranelagh. This piece was designed by Verrio, but was finished by Henry Cooke, an artist who studied under Salvator Rósa, and who was employed on cieling and staircase painting by several of the English nobility in the latter part of the 17th century. The present performance is not calculated to add to his reputation. The chief figure in the piece is Charles II, mounted on a horse richly caparisoned. In the back ground is a perspective view of the Royal Hospital; and the fanciful representations of Hercules, Minerva, Peace, and " Father Thames," are introduced by way of allegory. The whole is coarsely executed, and by no means worthy of its situation. The margin of the picture is designed to represent frame work; and, on the lower division, is an inscription in Latin, stating the name and title of the donor. A dinner for the pensioners is regularly placed in this hall, every day (with the exception of Sunday) at 12 o'clock. But they do not dine in public; as every man is allowed to take his meal to his own birth, or apartment. The |